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EARLY SUFFOLK RECORDERS. 



18529 



Repkinted from the Proceedings of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society for May, 1898. 




EARLY SUFFOLK RECORDERS. 



In the introduction to the first volume, of Suffolk Deeds, 
which was printed in 1880 by order of the Board of Alder- 
men of the City of Boston, acting as County Commissioners 
for the County of Suffolk, I gave certain extracts from the 
Colony Records showing the gradual development of our pres- 
ent system of recording conveyances of land. I purpose now 
to present the result of some researches in regard to those 
who in an official capacity, either as Recorders, Clerks, or 
Registers of Deeds, administered this system in the County 
of Suffolk during the first century of our history, or rather 
from 1639, when the office of Recorder was first created, down 
to the year 1735, beginning with Stephen Winthrop, the first 
Recorder, and ending with John Ballantine, who died in the 
latter year, while holding the office of Register of Deeds for 
the County. 

STEPHEN WINTHROP. 
1639-1644. 

Stephen Winthrop, the fourth son of Governor John Win- 
throp and the first by his third wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir 
John Tyndal,was 
born in Groton, ^^ /O y, yp 

Co. Suffolk, Eng- ^4riAnhA^/t (VL'ttiTf^it^ 

land, March 24, ^ I ^ ^ 

1618. 

"The Ladye Anne Tyndal was his godmother and M' Steven Eger- 
ton, her brother, & M' Deane Tindal, her son, were his godfathers."^ 

In a little volume in the handwriting of Governor Win- 
throp is the following entry : — 

1 Muskett's Suffolk Manorial Families, I. Pt. I. b. 



"On Weusdaye the 24"' of Marche 1618, Marg* my wife was deliv- 
ered of a Sonne, whereof I desire to leave tliis testimonye of my thank- 
fullnesse unto God, that she beeing above 40 houres in sore travayle, 
so it beganne to be doubted of hir life, yet the Lord sent hir a safe 
deliverance." ^ 

He came with his father in 1630 in the " Arbella " to New 
England, being then twelve years of age.- He was made a 
member of the First Church in Boston, 16 : 1 : 1634,^ and 
was admitted freeman December 7, 1636.* 

His brother, John Winthrop, Jr., had made in 1635, for 
Lord Say and Seal and his associates, a new plantation at 
the mouth of the Connecticut River; and Stephen shortly 
after joined him, for Governor Winthrop, in a letter to John 
Winthrop, Jr., under date of 26'^ 2"^ 1636, says : — 

" Your brother Stephen was desirous to come to you. If you have 
any employment for him, you may keep him, otherwise you may 
return him back." ^ 

And again, under date of 23 4"'° 1636, — 

" I must end, with remembrance of mine own and your mother's 
love & blessing to you & to Stephen." " 

Lieutenant Lion Gardener, who was sent over in November, 
1635, by Lord Say and Seal and Lord Brook to construct a 
fort at the mouth of the Connecticut River, in his " Relation 
of the Pequot Warres," ' says : — 

"In the year 1635, I, Lion Gardener, Engineer and Master of 
works of Fortification in the legers of the Prince of Orange, in the 
Low Countries, through the persuasion of Mr. John Davenport, Mr. 
Hugh Peters with some other well-affected Englislimen of Rotterdam, 
I made an agreement with the forenamed Mr. Peters for £100 per 
annum, for four years, to serve the company of patentees, namely, 
the Lord Say, the Lord Brooks [Brook], Sir Arthur Hazilrig, Sir 
Mathew Bonningtou [Bonighton ?], Sir Richard Saltingstone [vSalton- 
stall], Esquire Fen wick, aud the rest of their company, [I say] I 
was to serve them only in the drawing, ordering and making of a 
city, towns or forts of defence. And so I came from Holland to 
London, and from thence to New England, where I was appointed 

1 Life and Letters of Jolin Winthrop, I. 145. - Ibid., II. 6. 

3 Gov. John Wintlirop's Journal, I. 126; Memorial History of Boston, I. 5GS. 

i Mass. Col. Records, I. 372. 

■> Gov. John Winthrop's Journal, I. 389. '■ Ihid., I. ."92. 

' Gardener's Pequot Warres ; 3 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., III. 131-lGO. 



to attend .such orders as Mr. John Winthrop, Esfjuire, the prc'^ont 
Governor of Conectecott, was to appoint, wliether at Pequit [Petpiot] 
river, or Conectecott, and tliat we should choose a place both for the 
convenience of a good harbour, and also for capableness and fitness 
for fortification. . . . Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr, Peters 
promised me that they would do their utmost endeavour to persuade 
the Bay-men to desist from war a year or two, till we could be better 
provided for it ; and then the Pequit Sachem was sent for, and the 
present returned, but full sore against my will. So they three re- 
turned to Boston, and two or three days after came an Indian from 
Pequit, whose name was Cocommithus, who had lived at Plimoth, 
and could speak good English ; he desired that Mr. Steven [Stephen] 
Winthrop would go to Pequit with an £100 worth of trucking cloth 
and all other trading ware for they knew that we had a great cargo 
of goods of Mr. Pincheon's, and Mr. Steven Winthrop had the dis- 
posing of it. And he said that if he would come he might put off all 
his goods, and the Pequit Sachem would give him two horses that had 
been there a great while. So I sent the Shallop, with Mr. Steven 
Winthrop, Sergeant Tille [Tilly], (whom we called afterward Ser- 
geant Kettle, because he put the kettle on his head,) and Thomas 
Hurlbut and three men more, charging them that they should ride 
in the middle of the river, and nqt go ashore until they had done all 
their trade, and that Mr. Steven Winthrop should stand in the hold 
of the boat, having their guns by them, and swords by their sides, 
the other four to be, two in the fore cuddie, and two in aft, being 
armed in like manner, that so they out of the loop-holes might clear 
the boat, if they were by the Pequits assaulted ; and that they should 
let but one canoe come aboard at once, with no more but four 
Indians in her, and when she had traded then another, and that they 
should lie no longer there than one day, and at night to go out of 
the river; and if they brought the two horses, to take them in at a 
clear piece of land at the mouth of the River, two of them go ashore 
to help the horses in, and the rest stand ready with their guns in 
their hands, if need were, to defend them from the Pequits, for I 
durst not trust them. So they went and found but little trade, and 
they having forgotten what I charged them, Thomas Hurlbut and one 
more went ashore to boil the kettle, and Thomas Hurlbut stepping 
into the Sachem's wigwam, not far from the shore, enquiring for the 
horses, the Indians went out of the wigwam, and Wincumbone, his 
mother's sister, was then the great Pequit Sachem's wife, who made 
signs to him that he should be gone, for they would cut off his head ; 
which, when he perceived, he drew his sword and ran to the others, 
and got aboard, and immediately came abundance of Indians to the 
waterside and called them to come ashore, but they immediately set 
sail and came home, and this caused me to keep watch and ward. 



for I saw they plotted our destruction. And suddenly after came 
Capt. Eudecott, Capt. Turner, and Capt. Undrill [Underliill], witli a 
company of soldiers, well fitted, to Seabrook, and made that place 
their rendezvous or seat of war, and that to my great grief, for, said 
I, you come hither to raise these wasps about my ears, and then you 
will take wing and flee away ; but when I had seen their commission 
I wondered, and made many allegations against the manner of it, but 
go they did to Pequit, and as they came without acquainting any of 
us in the River with it, so they went against our will ; for I knew that 
I should lose our cornfield." 

Stephen Winthrop was in England in 1638, as is shown by 
a letter from him to his mother^ dated March 20, 1637-[8J ; 
but his absence could not have been of long duration, and he 
again returned to Boston, for John Winthrop, Jr., in a letter ^ 
written from " Riall Side," then part of Salem, now of Bev- 
erly, probably in May, 1639, and addressed " to my dear Wife 
Mrs. Elizabeth Winthrop, at Boston," says : — 

"When my brother Stephen went hence I was not up; nor well, so 
that I could not write to thee. . . . Put my brother Stephen in mind 
to send me my carbine, as he promised me. . . . My brother Stephen 
hath promised to bring thee home when thou comest." 

By order of the General Court held in Boston, September 
9, 1639,3 

" Mr. Steven Winthrop was chosen to record things." 

Lechford, in his " Plain Dealing," London, 1642, says : — 
" Master Stephen Winthrop is Recorder, whose office is to record all 

Judgments, Mariages, Births, Deaths, Wills and Testaments, Bargaines 

and Sales, Gifts, Grants, and Mortgages." * 

The General Court, October 7, 1640, provided for the keeping 
of records at Ipswich and Salem, " all the rest to bee entered 
by M"" Stephen Winthrope, the recorder at Boston."^ 

He joined the Artillery Company in 1641.'^ 

September 27, 1642, the General Court ordered that " M'" 
Stephen Winthrop hath liberty to go for England."" He did 

1 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., VIII. 199. 
■^ Gov. John Winthrop's Journal, I. 394. 
« Mass. Col. Records, I. 276. 

« Lechford's Plain Dealing or Newes from New England, p. 38. 
5 Mass. Col. Records, I. 306, 307. 

» Roberts' History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, pp. 112, 
118. 
" Mass. Col. Records, II. 28. 



9 

not go immediately, however, us he still continued to act as 
Recorder in 1643 and 1644. In the latter year he was deputy 
from Strawberry Bank to the General Court.^ The next year 
he sailed for England, then in the midst of the Civil War. 
He was Captain of a troop of horse, then Major and after- 
wards Colonel in Cromwell's Army, and it was at one time 
thought that he was to succeed Major-General Harrison.^ He 
sat in Parliament in 1656 as member for Banff and Aberdeen, 
Scotland.^ The few letters ^ which he wrote from England 
during this part of his life are of much interest, but only brief 
extracts can be printed here. 

In a letter to his brother, John Winthrop, Jr., dated London, 
March 27, 1646, he writes: — 

" God hath been pleased to give me a safe arrivall to London, were 
we find all o'' freiuds in health & y"' kingdome eased of many of theire 
feares in respect of y'' Kings ptie." 

In another, dated Worcester, August 23, 1646, he says : — 

" This kingdome is yet much vnsetled, although heere be noe enmy 
appearinge, y*" king will not signe y'^ pprositions nor yeild to y*" Parla', 
w*^'' causes many jelousies." 

1 Mass. Col. Records, III. 2. 

- " Youre brother Stephen succeedes Major Gen'. Harrison." Letter from Roger 
Williams to John Winthrop, Jr., dated Providence 21 : 12, 1G55-6 (3 Mass. Hist. 
Soc. Coll., X. 18 ; Publications of the Narragansett Club, VI. 297). 

3 In Thurloe's State Papers (V. 3G6) is the following letter from General- 
Monck to Secretary Tlmrloe : — 

" Honoured Sir, — This inclosed letter coming to my hands, I thought fit to 
send it to you, and I shall write to the governor of Orkney, to take the informa- 
tions upon oath, concerning this busines, which when it comes from thence, I 
shall send to you. All our parliament men are chosen here, but yon will know 
few of them but such as are English. The Englishmen that are chosen are, the 
lord Proghill, sir Edward Rhodes, Mr. Disborow, col. Whethara, judge Swinton, 
col. Winthrop, col. Fitch, judge Smytli, col. Salmon, Dr. Clarges, Mr. Godfrey 
Rhodes, Mr. Thomas Stuart, col. Henry Markiiom, judge advocate Whally and 
scout master general Downing ; and the rest are honest and peaceable Scotchmen, 
and I believe will be all right for my lord protector, which I tliouglit fit to nomi- 
nate, because they are not known to you. I remain 

Your very loving friend and humble servant, 

George Monck. 

Dalkeith 30 August, 165G." 

In the Diary of Thomas Burton (IV. 490) Colonel Winthrop is on the list of 
speakers in Parliament in 165G. 

He served on the Committee of Privileges, Committee for the Affairs of Scot- 
land and other Committees. (Journal of the House of Commons, VII. pp. 424, 
428, 433, 457.) 

* Winthrop Papers, 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., VIII. 199-218. 
2 



10 

In a letter to John Winthrop, Jr., dated 26 : 8 : 1646, Gov- 
ernor Winthrop writes of him : — 

" Your brother hath again sent for his wife, and it seems means to 
stay in England with his brother Rainsborow, who is governour of 
Worcester, and he is captain of a troop of horse." ^ 

And again, under date of 14 (3) 1647 : — 

" I hear that Col. Rainsborow is gone for Ireland, and, I fear, your 
brother Stephen is then gone with him." '^ 

In a letter 3 to his father dated London, July 29, 1647, he 
describes his reasons for not returning to New England, and 
adds : — 

" Things standing thus & Pvidence opening a way of imploym* in 
y® Army, I have accepted of it seeing noe dore open to me anywhere 
else of being serviceable in my generation or of gaining better subsis- 
tance to those God hath comitted to my care, & hope I shall not be 
lesse inabled to be a comfort or helpe to yo'selfe, my mother & 
brethren." 

In a letter to his father dated Reigate, England, March 2, 
1647-8, he says : — 

" I received you"'" by my wif, who (through God his goodnes) is 
safly arrived heere w"' her litle ones, for all w*^'' mercy I desire I may 
be fownd answerably thankfull." 

In a letter to his brother, John Winthrop, Jr., dated July 14, 
1650, he writes : — 

" The newes heere you will haue more new then I cann tell you, 
for I am in Wales, & am left w"* some horrsse to keepe quiett these 
partts. My Lord Cromwell is made Lord Gen" of all the forces (my 
Lord Fairfax laying downe his commision) & is marching into Scottland 
w*"^ all speed, if not there by this time. ... I pray advise my brother 
Adam what to doe w"' my farme & iland & bowse, y' it may be repayed 
& yield me something to live on hereafter : for I expect not to setle in 
England, but to returne amongst you when I may not be burdensome, 
but rather helpful. My wife is well, salutes you all very kindly & 
loves New England well." 

In a letter to John Winthrop, Jr., dated 7 (9) 1648, Gov- 
ernor Winthrop says : — 

" I received also a letter from your brother Stephen, who was in all 
those northern wars against the Scots, and (I perceive) did good ser- 

1 Gov. John Winthrop's Journal, II. 351. ^ Ihul, II. 354. 

3 2 Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc, XI. 6. 



11 

vice; and the Lord was graciously pleased to preserve him, that he 
was come safe to Loudon 7 (7) and I hope his heart is with the Lord, 
for he writes christiauly : and he and his wife sit down meekly under 
the Lord's correction in taking away their two children by the small 
pox at Loudon, after they had been driven from Deal to Harwich and 
so to Ipswich and then to London for fear of Goring's army." ^ 

His brother Adam Wintlirop writes to John Winthrop, Jr., 
under date of August 2, 1652 : — 

" You have heer enclosed a letter from my brother Ste[)hen. I 
soposs he iuformes you of his abode at Maribone Parke. He has pur- 
chased a house and parte of the parke." '" 

Roger Williams, writing from Sir Henry Vane's at Whitehall, 
20 : 2 : 1652, to John Winthrop, Jr., says : — 

" Your bro. Stephen is a great man for soule libertie " ; ^ 

and again from Providence, after his return to Rhode Island, 
under date of July 12, 1654 : — 

" I was at the lodgings of Major Winthrop. . . . Youre brother 
flourisheth in good esteeme, and is eminent for maintaining the Freedonie 
of the Conscience as to matters of Beliefe, Religion and Worship." * 

In a letter to his brother, John Winthrop, Jr., dated Kensing- 
ton, August 2, 1653, Stephen Winthrop says : — 

" Could I be assured of my health, I thinck I should come away 
imeadiatly, for I have noe health heare & I have beene this two years 
extreamly troubled w''' the zeatica & am just now goeing to the Bath 
to see if y' may remedy it. My much lying in y" wet feilds vppon the 
growud hath brought it vppon me, as it hath vppon many others. It 
makes my life very vncomfortable. ... At present the warres betweene 
the Dutch & we contynue, though we have twice this somere beaten 
theire maine fleet, consisting off 120 of theii*e best men of warre : and 
at last blocked them vpp in theire harbors for severall weeks, though 
we heare by reports they are gott out againe & we expect a new 
engagement." 

In a letter to his brother, John Winthrop, Jr., dated West- 
minster, March 11, 1654 [5], he writes: — 

1 Gov. John Winthrop's Journal, II. ?>57. 

2 5 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., VIII. 229. 

3 4 Ihid., VI. 286 ; Publications of tlie Narragansett Club, VI. 2U. 1 

* 3 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., X. 1 ; Publications of the Narragansett Club, 
VI. 258. 



12 

" I doe not give over thoughts of N. E. ; ^yet the cold weather is my 
greatest discourag™', & while I am heere I am troubled w*** Journyes 
into Scottland, w*^'' is as badd almost. I think I shall goe agaiue about 
a month hence, but then I hope to take my farewell of itt." 

In a letter to his brother, John Wiiithrop, Jr., dated April 14, 

1657, he writes : — 

" Honored Brother, — I received one from you by the last shipp as 
I supose ; but it was very long before it came to my hands. They 
came in a time when 1 was very sick, being forced to keepe my cham- 
ber «&-howse most partt of this winter ; w*^'' hindered me I'rom attending 
to y* buisnes you writt about, of repaire of yo'' losses by y*^^ men of 
warre. . . . Sir, I thancke you very kindly for yo"' care & inspection 
into my pore litle buisnes in N. E. & hope I shall still bee behouldinge 
to you for your advice ; for indeed I valew those things more, it may 
be, then some doe, & thiuke N. E. may have its times to florish agaiue, 
espetiall if they could gitt vpp some good manifactures. I hope the 
worst is past w**" them, & y' subsistance wilbe easier gained heerafter. 
Indeed I had need hope well of it ; for it is the best portion I am able 
or like to give my sonne, who is yet but a litle one, not above two 
mouthes old. I thanck God my wife & all of vs are indifferent well at 
this time, though I have not my health longe togither heer. [The] 
eyre is two moist for me & breeds rumes & coughes." 

He did not live to return to New England, but died in 
London in 1658, and, by his own desire, was buried in Groton 
with his ancestors. 

His will, dated May 3, 1658, probated in London August 19, 

1658, in which he styles himself of Jaines Street, Westminster, 
Esq., contains this provision : — 

" To the Poore of Boston in New England one hundred pounds of 
lawful money of England vpon condition that the Inhabitants of Boston 
aforesaid doe build and erect a Tomb or Momxment, Tombes or Monu- 
ments, for my deceased father and Mother vpon theire Grave or Graves 
of fiftie pounds value att the least, whoe now lyeth buried att Boston 
aforesaid, according to the love and honour they bore to him and her 
in theire lifetime." ^ 

1 Muskett's Suffolk Manorial Families, I. Pt. I. 20, 21. 

This is said to be the earliest provision for the poor in Boston, of the character 
of contribution, of which there is any authentic record. (Memorial History of 
Boston, IV. 656.) 

An abstract of this will was published in the New England Historical and 
Genealogical Register for April, 1886 (XL. 161, 162) (Waters' Genealogical Glean- 



13 

He married early, probably in Boston, Judith, sister of 
Colonel William Rainsborougii.^ Of his children, some born 
in Boston, others in England, only two daughters were living 
at the time of his death. His widow survived him. 

WILLIAM AS PIN WALL. 

1644-1051. 

William Aspinvvall probably came in the ileet with Gov- 
ernor Winthrop. He vi^as of Charlestown in 1630,'-^ and of 
Boston after 1633. 

His name is the i/*jT- y^m^ 

tenth in the list of ^Z-^^-V^-^^J ^nM 
original members of Cf I 

the First Church in Boston,^ the covenant being dated Charles- 
town, August 27, 1630. His wife Elizabeth was the sixteenth 
in that list. He was the second in the list of thirteen who 
remained inhabitants in Charlestown in 1630. September 28, 
1680, he was one of the jury impanelled to inquire concerning 
the death at '' M"" Cradocks plantacon " of Austin Bratcher.* 
He took the oath of freeman April 3, 1632.''' 

He was one of the Selectmen of Boston in 1636 and 1637,^ 
and was chosen deputy to the General Court in 1637 ' in place 
of Sir Henry Vane ; but as he was a supporter of Wheelwright 
in the " Antinoniian Controversy " ^ and had signed a remon- 
strance in his favor, tlie Court deposed liim from membership 
by the following order,'^ passed November 2, 1637 : — 

ings in England, I. 162), with a short summary of tlie life of the testator, by 
Robert C Winthrop, Jr., Esq., of Boston. He adds: "My kinsman Kobert 
Winthrop of New York, has a portrait (of which I have a copy) of a young 
officer of the Stuart period, which has been in our family for generations, and is 
called 'Colonel Stephen Winthrop, M. P.' If authentic, it must have eitiier been 
sent by him as a present to his father before his death, or subsequently procured 
by his brother John or his nephew Eitz-John, during their residence in England." 

1 N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XL. 168. Sec also Muskett's SuflTolk Manorial 
Families, I. Pt. IV. 159, for tlie Rainsborough pedigree. 

- Wynian's Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, I. 25. 

^ Memorial History of Boston, I. 566. 

•• Mass. Col. Records, I. 77. 

5 Ibid., I. 367. 

" Boston Town Records, I. G, 15, 

• Mass. Col. Records, I. 200 ; Boston Town Records, I. 15. 

8 Memorial History of Boston, I. 173-176, Drake's History of Boston, 218-230. 

9 Mass. Col. Records, I. 205. 



14 

" M"^ William Aspiuwall being questioned in regard his hand was to 
a petition or remonstrance, & he iustified the same, maintaining it to 
bee lawfull ; the Court did discharge him from being a member 
thereof." 

By the following order ^ of the same date he was disfran- 
chised and banished : — 

" M"" Willi : Aspinwall being convented for haveing his hand to a 
petition or remonstrance, being a seditious libell, & iustifiing the same, 
for w'^'', & for his insolent & turbulent carriage, hee is disfranchized & 
banished, puting in sureties for his depai-ture before the end of the first 
month next ensuing. 

"M"' John Glover & M"' Aspinwall are each of them bound in a 100' 
a peece for M' Aspinwals depture by the time limited." 

With others, " seduced & led into dangerous errors " by the 
"opinions & revelations of M"" Wheelewright & M''^ Hutchin- 
son," he was disarmed by an order of the General Court of 
November 20, 1637.2 

With others of " y** opinionists," thus disarmed, disfran- 
chised, and banished, he joined in the movement to found a 
new colony in Rhode Island, and he was one of those who, 
on the 7th day of the 1st month, 1638, " solemnl}^ in the 
presence of Jehovah," incorporated themselves " into a Bodie 
Politick "3 signing the compact at Portsmouth, Ehode Island. 
He was the first Secretary of the infant Colony. 

But his life in Ehode Island was not destined to be a 
peaceful one, as the following order,* passed 7*^ 12™° 1638-9, 
shows : — 

"Mr. Aspinwall being a suspected person for sedition against the 
State, it was thought meet that a stay of the building of his Bote should 
be made ; whereupon y*^^ workman was forbidden to proceed any 
further," 

And on the 28'" 2™'^ 1639,^ his shallop was attached for debt. 

He was in Connecticut in 1642, and was a witness in the 
case of George Spencer ^ at a General Court held at New 
Haven, March 2, 1641-2. 

At a Genera] Court held at Boston, October 7, 1641, the 
following order " was passed : — 

i Mass. Col. Records, I. 207. '" Ibid., I. 69. 

2 Ibid., I. 211. "5 New Haren Col. Records, I. 67. 

3 R. I. Col. Records, I. 52, 53. " Mass. Col. Records, I. 338. 
* Ibid., I. 66. 



15 

'' Willi : Aspinwall hath a safe coufluct granted him to come & satisfy 
the couiisell, &, if they thinke meote, to stay till the Generall Court ; if 
not, hee is to depart till the Generall Court, & theu hee hath liberty 
to come to the Gen'all Court." 

At a General Court held at Boston May 20, 1642, the 
following order ^ was passed : — 

" William Aspinwall, upon his petition & cirtifficat of his good car- 
riage, is restored agaiue to his former liberty & freedome." 

Governor Winthrop, under date of March 27, 1642,^ gives 
this account of it : — 

'" Mr. William Aspenwall who had been banished as is before declared, 
for joining with Mr. Wheelwright, being licensed by the general court 
to come and tender his submission &c was this day reconciled, to the 
church of Boston. He made a very free and full acknowledgment of 
his errour and seducement and that with much detestation of his sin. 
The like he did after, before the magistrates, who were appointed by 
the court to take his submission, and upon their certificate thereof at 
the next general court his sentence of banishment was released." 

Having made his peace with the Massachusetts authorities, 
his advancement was rapid. At a General Court of Election 
held in Boston, September 7, 1643, — 

" M' Willi Aspinwall is appointed clarke of the writts for Boston." ^ 

At a General Court of Election held in Boston, November 
13, 1644, — 

"Mr. Aspinwall is chosen Recorder till y'" next Co't of Election";* 

and on the same day — 

" It is ordered, y' M'' Willi : Aspinwall shalbe a publique notary for 
this iurisdiction." " 

He joined the Artillery Company in 1643.*^ 
The merchants of Boston, attempting to secure a monopoly 
of the Indian trade, procured a charter from the General Court.' 

1 Mass. Col. Records, II. 3 (2(1 ed.) ; Whitmore's Colonial Laws, IJoston, 
1889, Preface, xvi. 

2 Gov. John Wintlirop's Journal, II. 02. 

3 Mass. Col. Records, II. 45. 
* lln<L, II. 84. 

5 Ibid. II. 86. 

6 Roberts' Ilistorj' of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, p. 125. 

7 Mass. Col. Records, II. 60. 



16 

This was granted March 7, 1G43-4, in answer to the petition 
of William Aspinwall and six others. Governor VVinthrop's 
account is as follows : — 

" Divers of the merchants of Boston being desirous to discover the 
great lake, supposing it to lie in the northwest part of our patent, and 
finding that the great trade of beaver which came to all the eastern and 
southern parts, came from thence, petitioned the court to be a company 
for that design, and to have the trade which they should discover, to 
themselves for twenty-one years. The court was very unwilling to 
o-rant any monopoly, but perceiving that without it they would not pro- 
ceed, granted their desire ; wliereupon, having also commission granted 
them under the public seal, and letters from the governourto the Dutch 
and Sweedish governours, they sent out a pinnace, well manned and 
furnished with provisions and trading stuff, which was to sail up the 
Delaware river so high as they could go, and then some of the company, 
under the conduct of Mr. William Aspenwall, a good artist, and one 
who had been in those parts, to pass by small skiffs, or canoes up the 
river so far as they could." ^ 

But Aspinwall and his party were not allowed to penetrate 
to the beaver country, the Swedes firing upon them and the 
Dutch higher up the river refusing to allow them to pass.^ 

But more troubles were in store for him, for at the second 
session of the General Court held at Boston October 14, 1651, 
the following order ^ was passed : — 

"In answer to the peticon of John Button, Ben j" Ward, Thomas 
Matson, AVilljam Ludkin, and others of a jury appointed to serve in the 
last County Court held at Boston, in an accon betweene M' W" Aspin- 
wall and John Witherden, the Courte doth order that M'' Aspinwall be 
convented before the whole Courte on the morrow, being 23 8'"" 1651, 
to give answer to such things as are chardged vj^pon him in this and 
Witherdens peticon. The partjes appeared at the time appointed, and 
after the Court had fully heard the cawse, and what both partjes could 
say, the Court proceeded to judgm"'. Itt is ordered, that henceforth 
]\jr ^ym Aspinwall shall be suspended from excercising the office of 
recorder or clarke in any County Courte, for chardging the Courte and 
jury to goe against lawe and conscience, making the landlord to pay 
rent to the tennant, and shall pay the some of thirty shillings for the 
jurjes attendance and entring the peticon, w"' fower shillings for two 
wittnesses attendance. 

1 Gov. John Winthrop's Journal, II. 160. 

■^ Ibid., II. 178, 179, 187 ; N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXVIII. 42-50. 

3 Mass. Col. Records, IV. Part I. G8. Cf. Ihid., III. 257. 



17 

" Itt is ordered, that M"^ Edward Rawson, present secretary to the 
Geiierall Coiirte, shall henceforth be recorder for the county of Suffolke, 
and that M' Aspinwull deliiier him all the records belonging to the sajd 
county. 

" Itt is ordered, that Jonathan Negus, at the request of the tonne of 
Boston, shall henceforth be clarke of the writts for the toune of Boston, 
in M'' Aspinwalls roome, who is to give him the records of deaths, births, 
and marrjages, in his hands, y' belongs to that office." 

At the second session of the General Court held at Boston 
October 26, 1652,i 

" M"" Nathaniell Souther is appointed publicke notary for this jurisdic- 
con, in the roome of M'' W" Aspinwall, and tooke the oath suiteable to 
the place in open Courte." 

He addressed the following letter, dated 24 : 5"'° 1652, to 
the General Court : ^ — 

" May it please yo"' to consider, that manifould haue beene the afflic- 
tions I haue suffered since I came into this Country, and it adds vnto 
them the late order you made that I should deliver vp my bookes vnto 
the secretary, but most of all afflictiue is, that my late troubles haue 
sprung from brethren. As for others they doe but theire kind. I 
justify not myselfe but condemne my folly. Yo'^ know it that. Nemo 
mortalium omnibus horis sapit.\^] And though it be my portion to suffer 
the more, for that I haue beene yo*^ officer (most vnworthy I confesse) 
yet if ever occasion should be : be pleased to be tender of yo' officers 
especially of their names & creditt & suffer them not to be objects of 
publick scorne & reproach. If they be godly or ingenuous an admoni- 
tion or checke may suffice to redresse any thing weakly & foolishly 
done, but if they grow corrupt through bribes or otherwise vnfaithfull 
to theire trust, justice will require it to make them exemplary. fFormy 
selfe I haue little to say (being conscious of many weake & feeble pas- 
sadges) only this, I haue desired to be faithfull, & my aime hath beene 
the Hono'' of God & his vice-gerents, the publick good of the Country, 
& private of pticular psons. In reference to yo' late order giue me 
leave I beseech yo"' w"'out offence to giue yo"* an Account why I haue 
not delivered the bookes vnto the Secretary, but rather voluntarily 
chosen to leave them w"' M"' Cotton. 

1 Mass. Col. Kecords, IV. Part I. 118. 

2 Mass. Archives, LXXXVIII. 384, 385. The Notarial Record kept by William 
Aspinwall from Dec. '20, 1644, to July 4, 1651, has recently been discovered (2 
Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc, XI. 184). It will shortly be published by the Record 
Commissioners. 

3 "Quid quod nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit ? " Plinius major, Nat. 
Hist., VII. 41. 2. 



18 

1. They are no pnlilick Records, .as I take it, nor can be ; but privat 
Records of my owne Acts, of w*^'' I could not otherwise be able at any 
time to giue Account, nor be able to discerne any corruption or adulter- 
ation that possibly might be foisted in after the writeings passe my 
hand, f[or] w'^'' ends I thought it necessary to keepe such a Register. 
And I wanted not the advice of him herein, whom yo"" all will owne as 
a Nursing father to this Colonie whilst he lived. 

2ndiy y,)igs it were the practise of other Nations so to doe, w'^'' I be- 
lieve it is not, according to that intelligence I haue had, it will reflect 
some imputation or suspition of vnfaithfulues vppon me to take them 
away by an order ; & that will weaken the Credit of the bookes them- 
selves or any thing to be out of them. fFor such as is the Credit of the 
pson, such wilbe the creditt of his acts & bookes, & that is the Reason 
why the State & Goverment doe putt credit vppon the pson, by de- 
signeing him to such a Comon service, & therefore as they are carefull 
to choose such psons for that purpose as are qualifyed, & have variety 
of tongues (at least the Latin tongue) so specially they doe take care (or 
should) that they be faithfull, in whose truth men may confide. 

3'y- It would be prejudicial! both to my selfe, & all therein concerned 
to take them away, ffor no man can safely & effectually attest any thing 
out of my privat writeings but my selfe, nor shall I be able to attest 
any thing when my bookes are taken away. 

4'^. Very many things therein, for brevity sake, are registred in such 
a method, w'^'' none but ray selfe or by instructions from me can make 
vse of; they being intended for my privat vse, & my owne voluntary 
act w'hout instructions or injunctions from the Generall Court. 

5'^' The most of the things therein conteined relate to England 
whither I am going, & hope may be of more use there, both to the 
Country & any pticular therein concerned ; intending the Lord pmittis'g 
to make my residence in or about London, where any may haue easie 
Recourse for my attest. 

6''' The bookes are mine owne, bought at my owne chardge, & the 
Register therein my owne voluntary & handy worke, and as proply 
mine as any thing I possesse is mine. These things considered I did 
resolve (before yo"' order) & not w*''out advice of some that knew the 
practise & custome of other places to take my bookes w"^ mee, conclud- 
ing this w'^ my selfe, that as I haue beene & am, so through the help 
of Christ I shall remaine cordially affected & tenderly carefull of the 
good & welfare of his Israel as any opportunity of Providence shall 
present. But lest I should be grievous or ofFensiue to yo'" whom I loue 
and honour, I haue determined to leave them in the hands of M' Cot- 
ton, vppon promise of the Speciall Court, & confidence of yo"" approba- 
tion, that there they shall remaine vntill yo'" may vnderstand from M"" 
Winslow what is vsuall to be done in such cases of death or removal 



19 

of Notary into another Country. Ky this Accomodation yo'' ends are 
attained, that any who haue occasion may haue copies of any writeing 
by M!" Rawson, if he please hither to repaire, or if yo"^ judge it vseful 
and necessary, yo''' may appoint them to be transscribed & returne me 
mine if advise so guide. 

Let yo' geut[le]nes excuse these vnpolished lines & vouchsafe I pray 
yo''' to gratify my desire, & I shal remaine doubly engadged & devoted 
to yo" service in the other England as vvel as this, & Account it to be 
mine honour to be 

Yo'' humble faithful servant 

William Aspinwall. 

postsc. However I concluded at the last Speciall Court, as aboue, 
w"" promise to deliver them as is s*^ Yet the Magistrates being mett at 
the Lecture, & M"^ Hibbins moveing me to condiscend to deliver them 
to him who said he would intrust them w"^ M"^ Rawson, as of him 
selfe ; & fearing lest some others who wish not well to the Court or 
Country might make ill vse of my Act, to a farre worse end ; I could 
not neglect his motion, much lesse could I haue had the hart to deny 
yo'"selves, had yo^ but in the least intimated yo"' will or pleasure in 
such a matter (when I was w* yo'') w"'out any order or injunction at 
all ; Pray yo'^ let not my complyance to yo' minds, prejudice me in a 
due consideration of what might be meete to doe in or about them ; 
neither impute it to the Stifnes of my Will (as some are too apt to 
doe) that I haue demurred herevppon. Yo" will find it necessary 
to deale tenderly w"" yo' Officers & not admitt of any discouragment 
or disparagments vnnecessarily. As for my selfe I confesse my owne 
weaknes & vnworthines to be improved by yo"". Yo"^ haue store of 
others much more apt & fitt, & many more may yo'^ haue. Only be 
pleased to accept of what poore service God hath helped me to 
doe, covering my weaknessess, & if God giue strength & opportun- 
ity I shall rejoyce to be serviceable to yo* whilst life lasts, & as in 
duty I am bound ; pray for yo' peace & prosperity, still subscribing 
myselfe Yo' Servant to his power 

William Aspinv^^all. 

Boston 24^^ of the 5^^ mo. 1652. 

To the Honoured Generall Court these present." 

He was living in England as late as 1662, as appears by a 
letter from him dated Chester IS*'^ (2°), 1662, iu the Massa- 
chusetts Archives : ^ — 

" Right Wor''-^ — May it please yo'^ to looke on me as a friend, & 
one of yo"', though farre Remote, not Willingly but of necessity, & 
mediat for me to the Gen" Court, that that smale parcel of land in Boston 

1 Mass. Archives, B. XV. 163. 



20 

whereon the Mill stood w'''' was mine owne purchase (& never alieued 
as I suppose the Court Records will evince, wh'^'' land I gaue to my 
Son) may not be aliened by an Act of the Court from the true Owner 
hereof & his Sonne who is a Native & ffreeborne subject vnto yo"' 
Government. In so doeing yo"* shall oblige me to acknowledge both 
yo"^ Justice & favor. S"^ : I may not inlarge to speak how affaires 
goe w"* vs, yo^ heare it from better hands. 1 can only assure yo"*' 
that Capt Breedon & M' Maverick are yo' back friends, & wanted 
not to doe yo"^ all the disservice they could, as a pson of quality in- 
formed me, who once & againe laid a stopper vppon their proceedings. 
I doubt not, but yo'" heare as much & a great deale more then I can 
informe yo"^ But whilst yo"" make Christ yo'' friend yo"' need not much 
to care who are yo'' foes ; he both can & will protect his owne planta- 
tion, w'^'' is the prayer of 

Yo"' humble servant 

William Aspinwall. 
Chester 13^^ (2") 1662." 

By his wife Elizabeth he had six children born in Boston, 
as appears by the Boston Records. 

He was the author of the following works : — 

A Brief Description of the Fifth Monarchy, or Kingdome that 
shortly is to come into the World the Monarch, Subjects, OtRcers and 
Lawes thereof. By W. Aspinwall. London, Printed by M. Simmons 
for Livewell Chapman, 1653. 

An Explication and Application of the seventh chapter of Daniel ; 
with a correction of the translation. Wherein is briefly shewed the 
state and downfall of the Four Monarchies . . . and the ten horns or 
kingdomes ; and in particular, the beheading of Charles Stuart, who is 
proved to be the little horn, etc. London, 16.53. 

The Work of the Age ; or the sealed prophecies of Daniel opened 
and applied . . . Amending sundry places in our common translation, 
etc. London, 1655. 

An Abstract of Laws and Government, Wherein as in a Mirrour 
may be seen the Wisdome & perfection of the Government of Christ's 
Kingdome. Accommodable to any state or form of Government in 
the World, that is not Antichristian or Tyrannicall. Collected and 
digested into the ensuing Method, by that Godly, Grave and Judi- 
cious Divine, Mr. John Cotton, of Boston in New England, in his 
Lifetime, and presented to the Generall Court of the Massachusetts. 
And now published after his death by William Aspinwall. London. 
Printed by M. S. for Livewel Chapman, and are to be sold at the 
Crown in Popes-head Alley. 1655.^ 

1 Seo Wliitmore's Colonial Laws, 1GOO-1U72. Boston, 1889. Introd. pp. 1-14. 




21 

A Premonition of sundry Sad Calamities yet to Come; grounded 
upon an Explication of the 24"' Chapter of Isaiah. London, 1 Gf)."*. 

The Legislative Power is Christ's peculiar prerogative. Proved 
from the 9"' of Isaiah vers. 6, 7. By W. A. Londou. Livewell 
Chapman. 165G. 

Abrogation of the Christian Sabbath. By William Aspiuwall. 
Londou. 1657. 

An Abstract or \_sic'\ the Lawes of New-England, as they are now 
established. London. Printed for F. Coules and W. Ley at Paules 
Chain, 1C4L 

EDWARD RAWSON. 

1651-1670. 

Edward Rawson, son of David Rawson, citizen and mer- 
chant tailor of London, was born in England, April 15, 1615.^ 

He married, in Eno-land, 
Rachel Perne, daughter of Rich- -.^^ 
ard and Rachel Perne, of Gil- lA i» 
lingham, Co. Dorset, came to 
New England in 1636 or 1637, 

and settled in Newbury, Massachusetts. He took the oath of 
freeman, March, 1637-8. ^ July 6, 1638, he was chosen one of 
the Selectmen of Newbury, and, November 19 in the same year, 
"the publick notar}^ and Register for the towne of Newbury," 
being allowed " five pounds per annum for his paynes." ^ He 
was one of the three chosen, September 6, 1638, and again 
May 6, 1646, to hear and determine small causes in Newbury,"^ 
and, November 4 of the latter year, was appointed a Commis- 
sioner " to see people ioyne in marriage in Newbury." ^ He 

1 Tlie Rawson Family, by Sullivan S. Rawson, Boston, 1849; The Rawson 
Family, by E. B. Crane, 1875 ; Ancestry of Edward Rawson, by F. B. Crane, 1887 ; 
N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, III. 201, 297, 405; XXIII. 22 ; XXX. 2G2; XXXI 
324 ; XXXVIII. .309-312 ; XXXIX. 52-61, 85, 290 ; XL. 49 ; XLII. 175, 178, 179 ; 
XLIV. 1.32 ; XL VI I. 192. 

Judpe Sewall during his sojourn in England in 1688 and 1689 visited Gilling- 
ham (Sewall's Diary, I. 296, 297) ; and in an interleaved almanac made the fol- 
lowing entry, March 1, 1688 9 : "To Gillingam a convenient place. Lay at 
the Red Lion. Deliver'd my Letters to m": Richard and Jn" Pern." " Gilling- 
liam March- 2'* 1688/9, Reed, of Mr. John Pern One Guiney to give to Mr. Edward 
Rawson with a Letter." 

'^ Mass. Col. Records, I. 374. 

•^ Coffin's History of Newburv, 27, 28. 

< Mass. Col. Records. I. 239- II. 148; III. 64. 

5 //,/,/., II. 166; ill. 83. 



22 

was Deput}^ from Newbury to the General Court in 1638, 
1639, 1642, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647, 1648, and 1649,^ and was 
chosen June 18, 1645, and May 2, 1649, Clerk of the House of 
Deputies.^ 

In 1650 he removed to Boston. May 22d of that year he 
was chosen Secretary of the Colony,''^ an office which he held 
until 1686, being annually chosen thereto by the General 
Court.* Edward Johnson, in his " Wonder Working Provi- 
dence of Sioii's Saviour in New England," published in 
London in 1654,^ says of him : — 

" Mr. Edward Raivson a young man, yet imployed in Commonwealth 
affaires a long time, being well beloved of the inhabitants of Neivbery^ 
having had a large hand in her Foundation ; but of late he being of a 
ripe capacity, a good yeoman and eloquent inditer, hath beene chosen 
Secretary for the Country." 

On the removal of Aspinwall from the office of Recorder 
October 14 or 23, 1651, the General Court ordered^ that: — 

" M"^ Edward Rawson, present secretary to the Generall Courte, 
shall henceforth be the recorder for the county of Suffolke, and that 
M"" Aspinwall deliuer him all the records belonging to the sajd 
County." 

He held the office of Recorder until October, 1670, when the 
General Court at its second session, held in Boston, October 
12, 1670, passed the following " Order requiring y^ secret, to 
deliu county records to clarke of y'' County Court " : " — 

" The County Court of Suffolke, for reasons best knoune to them- 
selues, saw good to improove M"^ Free Grace Bendall as clarke of the 
sajd Court, in stead of M'' Rawson, ordering the sajd M"^ Rawson to 
deliuer unto him all those things w'^'^ did concerne him in that place. 
The Court being informed that there are yet still in his hands seuerall 
reccords that concerne the county, it is ordered, that the sajd M"" Raw- 
son deliuer the same to the clarke of the County Court." 

He was one of tlie founders of the Third or Old South 
Church in Boston, and his name appears in the list of — 

1 Mass. Col. Records, I. 227, 250; 11.22, 66, 96, 146, 186, 238, 205 ; III. 1, 10, 62, 
105, 121, 147. 
■^ Jbifl, III. 28, 147. 
•'- IhiiL, HI. 182; IV (I't 1) 1. 
•» Ibid., III., IV., and V. 

^ Johnson's Wonder Working Providence, p. 109. 
« Mass. Col. Records, III. 257 ; IV. (Ft. 1) 68. 
7 //>/■(/., IV. (Part 2) 464. 



23 

" The Brethren which came ofT fro y' First Chnroh in Boston NE 
& hiid y'' Foundation of y' 3'' Church ptly on May 12, 1GG9, partly on 
May 16, 1669."^ 

While a Deputy from Newbury he had engaged in the 
manufacture of gunpowder, and he received a grant of five 
hundred acres of land from the General Court, June 6, 1639,'^ 
"so as hee go on w*** the business of powder, if the salt peter 
come." But the undertaking was not successful.'^ 

In September, 1651,* he was chosen steward or agent for 
receiving the goods sent by the Society for Propagating the 
Gospel among the Indians in New England. 

October 15, 1679, the General Court granted him the sum 
of fifty pounds in answer to the following petition : ^ — 

To the Honno'"' Symon Bradstreet Esq'" Gou'' Tho. Danforth 
Esq'' Dep' Gou'' w"' the Honno'"''' Assistants & Deputjes Assembled in 
Gennerall Court. 

The humble Remonstrance, Declaration & peticon of Edward Raw- 
son, Secre'. 

Humbly Sheweth y' since may 1650 God hath enabled him to 
vnde''goe & in some weake measure to serve God & his people in this 
Colony, & though the Sallery to his place was but low & meane at the 
first, not aboue forty pounds p Anm yet such was the sence of Authority 
as for the Augmentation ordered y' all the lawes of publick Concern'"' 
should be transcribed to y*^ seurall Towne each session & be allowed 
twelve penc the first & 8'^ p page afterw''es out of y*^ Tresury wch oft 
Came to twenty pounds seldom lesse then 15^' p Anm. had y" publick 
Notarys place & Record' for y'' County of Suffolk, & also Agent for 
the Colonjes wch yeilded him a GQH p Anm. wch made him tho his 
family was large to Rest sattisfied & to keepe a clarke at his oune 
charge for y^ 1st 5 yeares when It pleased God to take to himself the 
Honord Good m"" Nowell who held y'^ Clarkship to the County Court 
of Suffolke till y'' time when that place was also Conferd on him wh'''' 
he kept till the yeare sixtje & then the Court was pleased to expresse 
their senc of his labors & Augmented his Annuall sallery to 60^' p Anm 
besides allowing him his bill for public writings out of Court wch Came 
to 8*' 10" 12 : & 16" p Anm as in all the Tresurers Accounts may be 

1 Historical Catalogue of the Old South Church, Boston. Boston, 1883, p. 5. 
-' Mass. Col. Records, I. 263. 

3 Ibid., II. 261,270, 283; III. 142 ; 1 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, XIV. 248, 249. 
* Acts of the Commissioners of the United Colonies. Piymoutli Colony 
Records, IX. 195, 198, 205, 206. 
s Muss. Archives, XLVIII. 155 ; Mass. Col. Records, V. 252. 



24 

seene found & Allowed him by y'^ Court all wch very hardly brought 
the yeare about, hauing not lesse then ten in his family, but in the 
vnhappy yeare 1009 It pleased the then magis'"" of y" County of Suffolk 
to dischardge him of the Clarkship place to y* County as also of y'' 
Recorders place at wch time I may speake it truly I had not 5^ in hand 
to help myself but God was pleased to order it y' being so enforct, sold 
a Considerable tract of my land w'" my house & somewhiles after y'= 
Rest y' yealded me an 1800": knowing the 111 Resentment I had from 
some in place was Content to spend vpon my oune Estate my Sal- 
lery of GO'' p Anm nothing neere Answering my families necessary 
[ex]pence. So that in a 5 yeares I was sensible of my great losse & 
wound hoping for a time of Releife but God saw it Good to let loose 
the Cruel natives vpon vs & such were y" Complaints of all the burden 
night & day for the two first yeares of y* warr 75, 76 : and mostly also 
in 77 & 7[8] that I was forced to forbeare & goe on & vnder that 
vexatious time spending 100*' p Anm still out of my oune purse & 
Estate besides my Sallery of 60i' p Anm for my necessary expenc of 
my family in y'' yeares 75 : 76 from 6 in y*" morning to 9 often 10 & 
eleven at night forct to write out 20 Reames of paper wch I bought 
signing night & day all warrants to all Tounes officers of foot & horse 
posts Comissary Chirurgeons Comissions for all sorts of Major Capt. 
Lefts & Sarjants abroad not lesse then sixe or 8 thousand & signing 
all debenters for all souldiers wayting on y'' Counsell die p die the law 
Allow" eiiy clarke G^' for y^ least Copie Some letters Comissions Instruc- 
tions &c very large I haue also pd for writting out sevill writtings to 
send w"" our Agents &c to a good value not less then 15'' besides pajd 
out of my salery about 20" for my diet ; haue had but 8" Allowed me 
for those two yeares : haue had a 16" cutt of from me for y" yeare 74 
Given in to y" late honord Tresur"^ Russell for publick writings for y' 
yeare & for this last two yeares nothing allowed me were it not but 
y* I so sorely feele y*" pinch of spending my oune Estate for so many 
yeares & vndergoing such hard labor for these 4 last yeares that haue 
brought me more then vpon my knees & Infirmitjes of Age Increasing 
on me that I Judge should be too much wanting to my poore family ; 
if I did not spread my Case before this Court hoping for some Consider- 
able releife (many hundreds expended and for many hundreds should 
be loath to vndergoe y'' like Leaue my Complaints & Condition w'" yo'' 
honors to make such reparation as in yo"" wisdome y'' shall Judge neces- 
sary in mony & lands to make it vp : shall be at rest hauing not many 
dayes to Hue : 

Leaue myself w*" God & yo'selues & am 

Yo'' Anntient Servant, 

Edw Rawson. 



25 

Judge Sewall in his Diary, under date of Monday, April 20, 
1685, thus describes the Proclamation of James the Second as 
King of England : ^ — 

"■The King is Proclaimed: 8 Companies, the Troop, and several 
Gentlemen on horseback assisting ; three Volleys and then Canon 
fired." 

The Colony Records state that the Governor and Council 
ordered His Majesty to be proclaimed with all due solemnity 
in the High Street in Boston,^ — 

" w'^^ was donn on 20"^ of Aprill last, the hono''ble Gouno'', Dep* 
Gouno"", & Assistants, on horsback, w"' thousands of people, a troope 
of horse, eight foote compauys, drums beating, trumpets sounding, his 
maj''' was proclaymed by Edward Rawson, secret, on horsback, & Jn" 
Greene, marshall gene""]!, taking it from him, to the great joy & loud 
aclamations of the people, and a seuenty peec of ordinanc next after 
the volleys of horse & foote . . . God saue the King &c." 

But this joy was not of long duration. On the arrival of 
Randoli)h in the "Rose" frigate, May 15, 1686, bearing the 
King's Commission for Joseph Dudley as President of New 
England until a Governor in Chief should be appointed by 
the King, the General Court decided upon an answer, drawn 
up and signed by Rawson, This is said to have been prob- 
ably his last official act. 

After the establishment of the provisional government, at a 
meeting of the Council, December 8, 1686,'^ a Committee was 
appointed : — 

" to receive & sort and form the Records of the Country (now in the 
hands of M'' Edward Rawson, late Secry) . . . and remove them in 
the posture they are now in, into the Library Chamber and that there 
go forth a strict Warrant to M'' Rawson to deliver them accordingly." 

At a meeting of the Council Feb. 4, 1686-7,^ it was 
ordered : — 

" That the s? Com''''^ do forthwith enter upon the effectual execution 
thereof bringing them to y'' Office provided for them & Mr Rawson late 
Secry to be assisting in sorting & disposing them accordingly." 

1 Sewall's Diary, I. 70. s Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 157. 

2 Mass. Col. Records, V. 474. * Ihid., CXXVI. 225. 



26 

At a meeting of the Council, March 6, 1687,^ it was ordered 
that the Records of the late Massachusetts Colony 

" be forthwith taken into y" Custody & Charge of y*^ Secry [Edward 
Randolph] & Kept with y" other Records of this Dominion in the 
Secry's office wliere all persons may haue recourse to them as occa- 
sion & that y'' Key heitherto Kept by IVr Rawson of y*" place where 
y'' s*^ Records are, be forthwith deliuered to y'' sd Secry." 

The following petition to Sir Edmund Andros^ is of 
interest : — 

"To his Excellency S'' Edmund Andros Kn' Capt" Geiierall & 
Gouu''no''-in-Chiefe of New England in America 

The humble motion by way of Peticon of Edward Rawson. 
Sheweth, — 

That your Peticouer for aboue thirty sixe yeares past hath Con- 
stantly Serued his Maj""" late Gou'nmeut in the office of Secretary & 
keeper of bookes & Records of the Generall Court of his Maj*"''" late 
Colony of the Massachusets wherein, besides the requisite diligence & 
faithfullnes he in the discharge of that trust, as euery day required, 
He exercised himselfe & Imployed & payd others, by way of assistancs, 
in methodizing the proceedings for posterrity, as he hoped the papers, 
bookes & Records in his Custody, by giving out transcripts & Coppies 
thereof, as there should be occasion might haue recompenced his sajd 
voluntary & free pajnes and Costs therein : by affording him a Com- 
petent maintenance in his now decljning yeares (being very neere 73) 
which was his great encouragement for to spend his dayes so to pub- 
licke advantage, now redounding to his Maj'"'" seruice. But that bene- 
fit & hope being by your Excellency'" & Councill's order cutt off : by 
divohiing vpon M'' Edward Randolph (his Maj"*^' principall Secretary) 
the sajd trust & papers to the encreasing of his profit & Incomes, (the 
Justice whereof yom- Petitone'' doeth not repine at) 

And forasmuch as besides the arrears due to your Petitione"" for his 
care & Custody thereof, to the tjme of his discharge, at the penurious 
rate of his forme'' yearely allowance is not only withheld, but vnless by 
you' Excellency's Goodnes (otherwise prouided for) his hopes of Sub- 
sistance for the future, dispajred, to his great discouragement, and of 
all othe''s who shall haue the like trust in his Maj"*"" service, so to dis- 
charge themselues as you'' Petitioner hath done; — And yo"^ Excel- 
lency hauiug beene greatiously pleased, not only to require his service 
& Assistance in the late Custody & Reemethodizsing of the sajd books, 
Records & papers for future vse, & deliuering them ouer to M'' Ran- 

1 Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 238. 2 //,,v/.^ CXXVIII. 73. 



27 

dolpli, But also to give yo'' petiticonor you"' Gracious promise of Con- 
sidering for the same, required his [proposal for his Sattesfaction, 

Your Peti'' therefore hopes & humbly [)rayes you'' Excellency by the 
advice & Consent of his Maj'''^'* Councill, will please to order a sattis- 
faction to be made vnto him not only for y*' last yeares wherein he 
hath actually served his Maj''' as aforesajd according to his former 
sallery of sixty pounds p Anum, but also some future yearly annuity, 
or pension out of his Maj"'" revenew heere for his sustenance, such as 
yo' Excellency shall Judge suitable to the quality of the trust he hath 
so discharged, & for & during his naturall life 

And he shall euer pray &c " 

By his wife Rachel, who pre-de ceased him, he had children, 
among whom were the Rev. Edward Rawson (Harv. Coll. 
1653) and the Rev. Grindall Rawson (Harv. Coll. 1678). 

He died intestate August 27, 1693, and administration on 
his estate was granted, January 4, 1693-4, to his son William 
Rawson, of Dorchester, yeoman. 

Cotton Mather, in his "Johannes in Eremo " published in 
1695, relating the refusal of the Rev. Jolm Wilson to have 
his portrait painted, says : — 

"But from the like Hiunility it was, That a Good kinsman, ^ of his, 
who deserves to Live in the same Story, as he now Lives in the same 
Heaven with him, namely Mr. Edward llawson, the Honoured Secre- 
tary of the 3fassachuset-Co\onj, could not by all his Intreaties perswade 
him, to let his Picture be drawn. . . . And when that Gentleman 
introduced the Limner, with all tilings ready. Vehemently importun- 
ing him to gratify so far the Desires of his Friends, as to sit awhile, 
for the taking of his Effigies, no Importunity could ever obtain it 
from him." ^ 

But Rawson himself did not decline to sit to the " limner," 
and his portrait inscribed " Natis [sic] 15*'' April 1615 — Ji^tatis 
suae 55, 1670," is in the library of the New England Historic 
Genealogical Society. This and a portrait of his daughter, 
Rebecca Rawson, with the Rawson family Bible, were pre- 
sented to the Society May 7, 1884, by Reuben Rawson Dodge,^ 
a descendant of the Secretary. 

1 Edward Rawson was a nepliew of the Rev. John Wilson. N. E. Hist, and ' 
Gen. Register, XXXI. 324. 

2 Johannes in Eremo, p. 41. 

3 N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXXIX. 52-Gl, 85. 



28 

FREEGRACE BENDALL. 

1670-1672, 1673-1676. 




'^y^Jj 



Freegrace Beudall, the son of Edward Bendall, a piomi- 
nent merchant 
of Boston, was 
born in Boston 
30 7™° 1636. His 
brothers and sis- 
ter bore the names of Reform, Hopefor, Moremercj^ Ephraira, 
and Restore. 

He took the oath of freeman, May 24, 1667,^ and was chosen 
constable at a town meeting held March 15, 1668-9.^ 

He joined the Artillery Company in 1667 ; was clerk of the 
Company from 1669-1672 inclusive, and ensign in 1676.^ 

He was appointed Clerk of the County Court for the County 
of Suffolk, and the County Records were ordered to be deliv- 
ered to him, October 12, 1670.4 

At a " County Court held at Boston y« 14*.^ 4"?° 1672," 

'' Vpon the humble Petico of ffree Grace Bendall the Court was 
pleased to condescend to his going this Voyage to Madera & accept of 
m^ Isaac Addingto to offitiate in his place till his Return of which all 
persons concerned may take notice." ^ 

At a " County Court held at Boston July 29, 1673," 

" The Court Orders & appoints that free Grace Bendall bee hence- 
forth Recorder of this County of Suffolke," ^ 

and that Isaac Addington be the Clerk of the County Court. 

The Rev. John Eliot, in the Records of the First Church of 
Roxbur}^' makes this entry of the death of Bendall : — 

1 Mass. Archives, CVI. 489. 

2 Boston Town Records, II. 42. 

3 Roberts' History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, I. 209, 
212, 214, 217, 220, 240. 

" Monday, June 5 [1676]. Mr. Hutchison chosen Capt., Mr. Turin, Lieut., Mr. 
Bendal, Ensign of the Artillery." (Se wall's Diary, I. 1.3.) 

* Mass. Col. Records, IV. (part 2) 464. 

* Records of the Suffolk County Court, October 31, 1671-April, 1680, p. 55. 
6 Ibid., p. 153. 

■^ N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXXIII. 298; Report of Boston Record Com- 
missioners, VI. 193. 



29 

"mouth 4' day 6. [IGTT)] a sudden gust toward night, w''' overset a 
boat coming fro Noddls Band, w"" were drowned ra"" Bendal. iS: his wife, 
& a quaker niaide, and a young man a factor," 

Judge SewalP thus describes his death : — 

"Tuesd. 6, [June 6, 1676] hite in the Afternoon, a violent wind, and 
thunder shower arose. Mr. Bendal, Mrs. Bendal, Mr. James Ed- 
munds, and a Quaker female were drowned ; their Boat (in which 
coming from Nodle's Hand) being overset, and sinking by reason of 
ballast. Mr. Charles Lidget hardly escaped by the help of an oar. 

" Wednesday, June 7., 5 Afternoon Mr. Bendal, Mrs, carried one after 
another, and laid by one another in the same grave. Eight young 
children." 

Administration on his estate which was appraised at X531 : 
7: 9 was granted, June 8, 1676, to Mr. John Scarlett, Mr. Wil- 
liam Taylor, and Captain Elisha Hutchinson. One of his 
daughters, Mariana, became the wife of Dr. Daniel Allin 
(Harv. Coll. 1675), vs-ho was appointed one of the Clerks for 
Suffolk, June 2, 1686. Administration de bonis non on the 
estate of her father " Freegrace Bendall merchant deceased " 
WHS granted to her March 19, 1700-1. 

JOHN DAVENPORT. 

1676. 

John Davenport, son of the Rev. John Davenport, vicar of 
St. Stephen's in Coleman Street, London, who with Governor 
Eaton arrived in 

Boston June 26, /^_J .--^ / 

1637, and the CM^ OX(XK^TlV0rr~~ 

next year set- y-^''^^/^ ^^ — 

tied New Haven, • 

Connecticut, was born in England or perhaps Holland. 

He did not come with his father- to Boston, in 1687, but 
was brought in 1639, to New Haven in "y" first ship that ever 
cast anchor in this place." ^ 

He took the oath of fidelity 7 : 2"'" 1657.^ 

1 Sewall's Diary, I. 13. 

- Letter of the Rev. John Davenport to Lady Mary Vere dated " Quinnepiack " 
[New Haven] 28* 7""" 1639, N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, IX. 149, 150; 
Davenport Genealogy, 1876, p. 184. 

3 New Haven Col. Records, I. 140. 



30 

The Rev. Jolin Davenport, the father, removed to Boston 
and was installed Pastor of the First Church in Boston. John 
Davenport, the son, also came with him to Boston. John 
Hull, in his Diary ,^ thus notes their arrival: — 

" 2(1, 3 (1. [1668] At three or four in the afternoon, came Mr. John 
Daviuport to town, with his wife, son, and son's family, and was met 
by many of the town. A great shower of extiaordinary drops of rain 
fell as they entered the town ; but Mr. Davinport and his wife were 
sheltered in a coach of Mr. Searl's who went to meet them." 

The father and son both took the oatli of freeman May 19, 
1669.^ 

After the death of his father, he addressed the following 
petition^ to the General Court: — 

" To the Hon';!'^ Govern"^, Deput : Govern"', Assistants, w"' the Hon'* 
Deputies in Gen" Court assembled the i st of June 1671. 

The humble Petition of John Davenporte 
Humbly sheweth — 

That whereas your Petioners Reverend Fatlier, in the very Infancy 
of this Goverm', was one of the Adventerors in promoving this Planta- 
tion, and not a little Instrumentall (w"' Others) in the charge of ob- 
teyning his Ma"'*' Roy all Charters the foundation thereof, and (as 
himselfe often affirmed) put into the coinon stock at least fiftie pounds, 
for w*^'' (as yet) he never had any Compensation your Petitioner (the 
onely son of his deceased Father) humbly desires the wonted fav' of 
the Hon''"* Court, in a meet consideration of y'' premises by bestowing 
a portion of Land as in your wisdome you shall thinck fit, and your 
Petitioner shall pray &c." 

The Committee to which this petition was referred re- 
ported in favor of a grant of five hundred acres of land to 
tJhe petitioner. 

After the death of Recorder Bendall, the County Court 
held at Boston, July 25, 1676, made the following order: 

" mf John Davenport is authorized & impoured to bee Record "^ for 
the County of Suffolke ; and the Records are to bee delivered up unto 
him." * 

^ Archaeologia Americana, III. 226. 
•^ Mass. Col. Records, IV. (part 2) 583. 

3 Mass. Archives, XLV. 163, 164. 

4 Records of the Suffolk County Court, October 31, 1671-April, 1680, p. 394. 



31 

He entered and recorded in Lib. IX. of Suffolk Deeds the 
deeds left for record from August 8 until August 22, 1676, 
attesting the record as " John Davenport Recorder." But 
Isaac Addington then got possession of the book. Daven- 
port then turned to Lib. IV. and on one of its fly leaves 
made this entry, — 

"The proper Booke of Deeds in which the following Instruments 
should haue been Recorded being taken and withheld from me ; 22 
day of August. I am faine to enter them in this Booke." 

He continued to enter deeds on the fly leaves of Lib. IV. 
as late at least as October 11, 1676, when he gave up the 
contest. He died shortly after. His will, dated October 31, 
1676, was filed in the Probate Office, November 13, 1676, 
and administration on his estate which was appraised at 
X836 : 12 : 6 was granted to his widow, Abigail Davenport. 

In his will he expressed a wish 
" y' my Sonn John ^ may bee a Schollar if the Estate will beare 
it. . . . And what Silver plate there is in y*" howse, I leaue my wife 
two thirds of it for her onely proper vse, & as for ray bookes in my 
Study I give vnto my Son Latine Greek & Hebrew & y*" manuscript 
w'='' was his Grandfathers & Some English bookes w''*' is necessary, & 
y" remainder of the bookes I give vnto my wife & Children." 

His inventory contains among other items the following: — 
" The Negro AVoman £18 : 00 : 00." 

"The bookes Vallewed by ml Ja: Allen, & 

m^ Sam\' Willard Vnder there hands £90 : 00 : 00." 
" The house & Ground £400 : 00 : 00." 

ISAAC ADDINGTON. 
1672, 1673, 1676-1686, 1689, 1690. 
Isaac Addington, son of Isaac Addington, was born in 
Boston, Janu- ^^^ yi 

avy 22, 1644-5. /Y^'^yfpJ/J f ' r 

His name ap- U/J_ ' (^/fjCUl ill Q fv /J 

pears in the y>^^^^ ^""^ *^ <>2 

Steward's Book ^""^ /y. 

of Harvard Col- ^^ — ^ 

lege^ in 1658 and 1659, but he did not graduate. He was 

J John Davenport, the son of the testator, was graduated at Harvard College 
in the Class of 1G87. Sibley's Harvard Graduates, III. 369. 
'•^ Sibley's Harvard Graduates, I. 581. 



32 

bred for a surgeon, ^ and as late as 1687 he still styled himself 
"• chiriirgeon " in deeds and other legal instruments.^ 

He took the oath of freeman, May 7, 1673.3 

The "County Court held at Boston y« 14''^ 4°^° 1672," 
granted the petition of Freegrace Bendall, the Recorder, to 
go on a voyage to Madeira " & accept of MF Isaac Addingto 
to offitiate in his place till his Return."^ 

At a " County Court held at Boston July 29, 1673," 

" The Court Orders & appoints Isaac Addiiigton to bee henceforth 
, Clarke of the County Court of Suffolke." ^ 

In the contest which followed the death of Recorder Ben- 
dall, Addington finally prevailed and, being left in full posses- 
sion of the Records, continued to attest the records in the 
Registry of Deeds until 1686, when the provisional govern- 
ment was established. He also attested certain of the records 
in 1689 and 1690 after the overthrow of Audros. 

At a town meeting held in Boston, March 10, 1684-5, he 
was chosen one of the Deputies to the General Court,*^ He 
was also chosen Deputy, March 9, 1685-6, and, May 12, 1686, 
one of the Assistants.' At a town meeting, May 14, 1686, 
Captain Penn Tovvnsend was chosen Deputy '' in y^ place of 
M' Isack Addington beinge cliosen a Magestrate." ^ In 1688 
he was one of the Selectmen.^ 

He was one of the Committee appointed at a meeting of 
the Council, December 8, 1686, i<^ to receive from Edward 
Rawson, the late Secretary, the Records of the Massachu- 
setts Colony. 

1 Among the "bills of charges to chirurgeons-, docto'"^ & diet" mentioned in 
the petition of Ruth Upham, widow of Lieutenant Phineas Upham who was 
mortallj' wounded in King Philip's war and who died in Boston, October, 1G70, 
and which the General Court ordered the Treasurer of the Colony to pay, was 
one of £1 3s. 5d. to "Mr Addington." Mass. Col. Rec, V. 122; Bodge's 
Soldiers in King Philip's War; N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XLIII. 352. 

2 Suffolk Deeds, VI. 122 ; VII. 37 ; XII. 159 ; XIII. 152 ; LIX. 175. 

3 Mass. Col. Records, IV. (Part 2) 586. 

* Records of the Suffolk County Court, October 31, irj71-April, 1680, p. 55. 

5 Ibid., p. 153. 

6 Boston Town Records, II. 164, 174. 

7 Mass. Col. Records, V. 513. He was chosen, May 27, 1685, Speaker of the 
House of Deputies. (Ibid., p. 476.) 

8 Boston Town Records, II. 175. 

9 Ibid., 11. 185. 

w Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 157. 



33 

On the overthrow of the government of Sir Edmund Andros 
he was chosen, April 20, 1689,^ Clerk of the " Council for the 
Safety of the People and Conservation of the Peace," and 
under the new charter took the oath of office, May 16, 1692,^ 
as Secretary of the Province, dn office which he held until his 
death. 

He was appointed, June 18, 1692,-^ Register of Probate for 
Suffolk County ; April 12, 1693,4 Register of the High Court 
of Chancery of the Province; November 19, 1702,'^ Judge of 
the Suffolk Probate Court, and in 1692, 1696, 1697, 1698, and 
1699 he was one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of 
Common Pleas.*^ He was a Justice of the Peace, was one of 
the Commissioners for the trial of Pirates,' and, June 30, 
1702, was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court of 
Judicature.^ 

His Excellency the Governor acquainted the Council,-' 
June 5, 1703, — 

''that Isaac Addiiigton Esq!" Chief Justice of the Superiour Court, had 
addressed him several times, with great earnestness to be dismist from 
that Office, being much impaired in health ; and having lost his Assist- 
ant in his Office of Secretary, the buisness wherof was pressing upon 
him." 

He tendered his resignation at a Council Meeting held on 
the 15th ^^ of the following month, and on the 23rd ^^ the Gov- 
ernor declared that no further service was expected from him 
as Chief Justice. 

At a town meeting held December 27, 1708, it was voted 
that — 

"a Committee be chosen to draw up a Scheme or draught of a Charter 
of Incorporation (or any other projection) for the Incourragement and 
better Governm' of this Town," ^- 

and Addington was the third in tlie list of thirty-one free- 
holders and inhabitants who constituted that Committee. 

1 Mass. Col. Records, VI. 3. « Ibid., II. 206, 422, 477, 577 ; III. 42. 

'^ Council Records, II. 168. ^ Ibid., III. 257. 

■5 Ibid., II. 180. 8 Ibid., III. 341. 

* Ibid., II. 235. 9 Ibid., III. 448. 

5 Ibid., III. 388. 10 Ibid., III. 454. 

" Ibid., III. 457 ; Sewall's Diary, II. 82, 83. No successor, however, was 
appointed until February 20, 1707-8, when Wait Winthrop was made Chief 
Justice. (Council Records, IV. 546, 553.) 
12 Boston Town Records, II. 299. 

5 



34 

He wus one of the seven chosen at a town rneeting held 
December 19, 1709, 

" to consider of the affaires relateing to the Gramer Free School of 
this Towu." ^ 

This Committee reported at a town meeting held March 13, 
1709-10, certain recommendations : — 

" We further propose and recommend, as of Great Service and 
Advantage for the promoting of Diligence and good Literature, That 
the Town Agreeably to the Usage in England, and (as we understand) 
in Some time past practiced here, Do Nominate and Appoint a Certain 
Number of Gentlemen, of Liberal Education, Together with Some of 
y" Rev'^ Ministers of the Town, to be Inspectors of the S"^ Schoole under 
That name Title, or denomination, To Visit y*^ School from time to 
time, when and as Oft as they shall thinck fit, to Enform themselves of 
the methodes used in Teaching of y'' Schollars and to Inquire of their 
Pi'oficiency, and be present at the performance of Some of their Exer- 
cises, the Master being before Notified of their Comeing, And with him 
to Consult and Advise of further Methods for y" Advancement of 
Learning and the good Government of the Schoole." ^ 

This report was accepted, and Addington was one of the five 
inspectors chosen. He was again chosen in 1711 and 171 3.^ 

Judge Sewall gives us the following particulars of his last 
days : * — 

"Midweek, March 2 [1714-5] Mr. Secretary offers a Draught for a 
Fast. The President persuaded him to strike out words about Estab- 
lishment of the Government. Mr. Tailer procured to have the Prince 
particularly mention'd. I prevail'd to have Rain Specially inserted, 
and gave the Words, which I prepar'd at Noon : carried it to the Press." 

" Midweek, March, 9. Mr. Secretary is in Council ; Forenoon and 
Afternoon. I remember, I ask'd leave of him to go to the Barbers, 
assuring him I would return presently." 

" Fifth-day, March, 10* Mr. Secretary is taken with fainting as he 
rose out of his Bed in the Morning : sunk down. Taken agen at Noon. 

1 Boston Town Records, II. 305. 

2 Ibid., II. 308. 

This was the origin of the Boston School Committee. The Free School or 
Free Grammar School here means the Boston Latin School. " Grammar School " 
in our early records is used, as in England, to denote a school where Latin and 
Greek are tauglit, and not in the sense in which it has been employed in later 
times in America. 

» Boston Town Records, II. 318, 342. 

4 Sewall's Diary, III. 41. 



35 

As went out of the Council in tlie iNIorning, RP Davenport desired me 

to acquaint JNIr. Sewall wlio preach'd ; but he was got into pulpit before 

I reach'd the Meetinghouse, so no publick Prayers." 
"March, 13. Mr. Secretary Pray'd for publickly." 
" Satterday, March, 19. Mr. Secretary Addington dyes between 11. 

and 12. before Noon. Gov'' Dudley came to visit him ; but he was dead 

I of an hour before." 

The Rev. William Cooper says : ^ — 

"Mar 19 [1714-15] Dyed y*^^ truly Hon'''" Isaac Addington, Esq. 

Aetat. suae 71. 
" Mar 23 I attended M'^ Addingtons funerall." 

Judge Sewall ^ gives this account of the funeral : — 

" Midweek, March, 23. Mr. Addington buried from the Council- 
Chamber; twas a sad Spectacle; Bearers, L' Gov', Mr. Winthrop ; 
Elisha Hutchinson, Sewall ; Eliakim Hutchinson, Belchar. 20 of the 
Council were assisting, it being the day for apointing Officers. All had 
Scarvs, Bearers Scarvs, Rings, Escutcheons. Was laid in Gov"" 
Leverett's Tomb." 

1 Memoranda from the Rev. William Cooper's Interleaved Almanac ; N. E. 
Hist, and Gen. Register. XXX. 435. 

'^ Sewall's Diary, III. 43. Samuel Sewall, Jr., makes the following entry in 
Sewall's Letter Book (II. 299) : " March 19*^, 1714-15. Dyed The Worthy 
Secretary Isaac Addington Esq"", about Noon. Having Several fainting Fitts. 
Buried in GovT Leveretts Tomb, the 27"^ Instant, there being a considerable 
attendance. 20 Counsellors. Being much Lamented." 

The Boston News-Letter for March 21, 1714-15, contains the following obituary 
notice : — 

" On Saturday last the 19th Currant, Died liere about Eleven a Clock in the 
Forenoon, the truly Honourable and very Worthy Isaac Addington Esq ; Secretary 
for His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, who had 
with great Wisdom, Honour and Faithfulness served his Generation by the Will 
of God, in that Office for above Twenty years, being appointed thereto by the 
Late King William and Queen Mary of Glorious Memory, in their Royal Charter. 
He was born in New England, and a great Honour to his Country ; he Dyed in 
the Seventy-first Year of his Age." 

Judge Sewall in his Diary (III. 67), in making note of a visit made by him 
November 21, 1715, to Governor Saltonstall, says: " He was not at home ; I left 
for him CoiTiemorations, with Sermons on Mr. Addington, and Mr. Earl bound 
up together." 

The Funeral Sermon on the " Death of the Honourable and truly Vertuous 
Isaac Addington Esqr.", referred to by Judge Sewall, was preached by the Rev. 
Benjamin Colmnn and was published in Boston, 1715. 

At a meeting of the Selectmen May 16, 1715 (Selectmen's Rec, II. 175), "Lib 
erty is granted to Major Thomas Fitch to make a Toomb for his family, in the 
Old burying place on ye Easterly Side Next to Docf Cooks Land, & next adjoyn- 
ing to y« Toomb of Isaack Addington Esq'- Deceaced." 



Isaac Addington was twice married. His, only child, a 
daughter by his first wife, probably died young. His second 
wife survived him. 

His will, dated January 1, 1713-14, was probated May 13, 
1715. He made his nephew Addington Davenport his re- 
siduary legatee and devisee, and constituted him the sole 
executor. 

A portrait of Secretary Addington is in the library of the 
New England Historic Genealogical Society. It is thought 
to be one of tiie two portraits mentioned in the will of Eliza- 
beth Davenport, widow of the Honorable Addington Daven- 
port, which was dated September 18, 1756, and probated 
October 29, 1756. It was formerly in the possession of the 
late Richards Child, of Boston, and was given to the Society 
January 7, 1880,i by the late Dudley Richards Child. 



EDWARD RANDOLPH. 

1686. 

Edward Randolph, who has been called " the evil genius of 
New England," but whose courage, zeal, and ability have at 
last received 
tardy recogni- 
tion at the 
hands of later 
New England 
historical writers, played so important a part in our colonial 
history that only a brief summary of his life need be attempted 
here. 

He was the fourth son of Edmund Randolph, M.D., of 
Canterbury, England, of Oxford and Padua (Italy), and was 
baptized at St. Margaret's, Canterbury, July 9, 1632.^ 

He arrived in Boston with the King's letter June 10, 1676, 
and sailed from Boston July 30, 1670, for England, He was 
appointed Collector, Surveyor, and Searcher for all the Colo- 
nies of New England, and again appeared in Boston, January 

1 ProceefUngs N. E. Hist. Gen. Soc, 1880, p. 39. 

■i N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXXVII. 155 ; 1 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, XIII. 
240-242 ; Historical Papers by Charles Wesley Tuttle, edited by Col. Albert H. 
Iloyt, 1889, pp. 277-326. 




//^^/«^ 



37 

28, 1679-80.1 The opposition with which he was met and his 
personal grievances stimulated him to address a memorial to 
the King, urging proceedings against the Charter by a writ of 
quo 'Warranto. He sailed again from Boston, March 15, 1681. 
In his ceaseless activity against the Colony he made eight 
voyages to New England in nine years, "always returning 
home with fresh complaints, thereby arming himself with new 
orders and powers." 

He arrived again in Boston December 17, 1681, with a commis- 
sion as Deputy Collector for all the Colonies of New England 
except New Hampshire, bringing at the same time a letter 
from the King. In compliance with orders received from 
England to return and prosecute a quo ivarranto. he sailed 
again for England, arriving May 28, 1683. He arrived again 
in Boston on the 26th of October of that year with the quo 
warranto against the Charter and Government of Massachu- 
setts, and, December 14th following, again embarked for Eng- 
land, presenting to the Privy Council his " Narrative of the 
Delivery of his Majesty's Writ of quo warranto.'''' On the 23d 
of October, 1684, the Court of Chancery made a final decree 
vacating the Charter, and the ancient government of the 
Colony came to an end. 

Randolph arrived again in Boston in the '■'• Rose " frigate. 
May 14, 1686, with commissions for the officei-s of a new 
government. The General Court, whicli was then in session, 
was adjourned to the second Wednesday in October, 1686 ; but 
it never met. 

The provisional government thus establislied over Massa- 
chusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and the King's Province 
under the presidency of Josepli Dudley lasted from May 25 
to December 20, 1686, when Sir Edmund Andros superseded 
Dudley, and became the first Royal Governor of the Province. 

Randolph had brought with him a Commission from King- 
James the Second " Given at our Court att Windsor y* 21 day 
of September 1685 in the first year of our Reigne," ^ reciting 
that — 

"Whereas we have thought fitt to appoint a President & Councill 
Vntill we 8hall send over A Governor in Chiefe to take Care of all our 

1 Memorial History of Boston, I. 364-382; 1 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, XVIII 
258, 259. 

■2 Mass. Archives. CXXVI. 95. 



38 

Territory & Dominion in New England . . . reposing Especiall trust 
& Confidence in the Loyalty & Abilities of our trusty & well beloved 
Edward Randolph Esq! have given & Granted and by these presents 
do give and gi-ant onto him the Said Edward Randolph the Severall 
and respective places & offices of Secretary and Sole Register of our 
Gouernor & Councill and of our Government there for the time being 
and in our Territoryes and Dominion aforesaid . . . together with all 
fees Rights Privilidges Proffitts, Perquisits and advantages to the 
said Places & Offices or either of them belonging or in any wise apper- 
taining or which shall belong or in any wise appertaine in as full and 
ample manner to all Intents and Purposes as the Secretary and Register 
of our Island of Jamaica or of any other our Plantations in America 
have had or do now receave and Enjoy." 

At a meeting of the Council March 6, 1687, ^ tlie Records of 
the late Massachusetts Colony were ordered to be taken into 
his custody and charge, and kept with the other Records of 
the Dominion in the Secretary's office. 

In a letter 2 to the Lord Treasurer, dated August 23, 1686, 
shortly before the arrival of Sir Edmund Andros, he says 
that he has — 

"• brought this people to a neerer dependance upon y"" Crown . . . 
But unless his Maj"'' please in a very short time to send us over a 
Gener" Gover"' from Engl'' all y' is already done will be of little ad- 
vantage to his JNIaj"'" Interest: . . . His Majestic hath been graciously 
pleased to make me Secretary of his Councill here but y'' accounts of 
y^ late Treasurers & w'ever else relates to y'' discovery of his Maj'"' 
Revennue is Kept from my Knowledge : The publick Records & all 
y'' Grants & Settlement of Lands in this Country ought to be lodged 
in my office are otherwise disposed of, not being willing to entrust them 
with me, who have been & (as they say) am still y? Grand enemy of 
their Countrey. ... It was by your Lordships favour y\ his Maj"'' in 
consideration of my past services was pleased to grant me yf office of 
Registei- & Secretary of this Gover"', a place in his Majesties other 
plantations of considerable advantage but they have taken so g'' a pre- 
judice against me ; y' they have disposed of y'' pquisites of y' office to 
psons of y!' own stamp so y* for all my trouble & attending y^ Councill 
here, I am not like to make 20*^ a year. My earnest expectation of 
a Gen" Gov'' supports me under all these difficulties & disappointm'' and 
tho' they treat me so rudely, yet I shall continue to assert his Majesties 
interest in yf station I am fixed in." 

1 Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 238. 2 /;„-rf._ CXXVI. 66. 



39 

After the establishment of the new government he ad- 
dressed a protest or petition' " To His Excellency S' Edmond 
Andros, K"*. Cap'. Generall and GovernMn-Chiefe of this 
his Maj'y* Territory and Dominion of New England," reciting 
his Commission from the King and adding — 

" And whereas by an Act made in the Island of Jamaica it is or- 
dained by the Governor Conncill & Assembly that the Secretaries 
Fees of that Island should be : — 

(1*) For a Permit for every Vessell that departs that Island one 
shilling. 

(2) For every bond entred into by an English man not to carry 
anyone of that Island Without the Governors Ticket five shillings. 

(3) For every Bond as above said for an Alien's ship ten shillings. 

(4) For entring a Caveat setting up a name Vnderwrighting any 
person in the office six Pence : 

(5) For a Ticket to depart that Island two shillings and sixe pence. 

(6) For Taking a bond obligatory one shilling and thre pence. 

(7) For A Lisense ffor Marridge sixteen shillings & six pence 

8 For Letters of Administration, Warrant of Appraisement Bond 
and filing the Inventory fourteen shillings. 

9 For Recording a will of one sheet tw© shillings and sixe pence. 

10 For Every sheet moore then one Eight pence. 

(11) For Every order of the Governour & Councill or Copie 
thereof one shilling and thre pence. 

(12) For a Lisense to draw drinke sixteen shift & sixepeuce 

(13) For a Lett pas for a ship to depart five shillings. 

(14) For Every Protest onder hand and seale sixe shillings. 

(15) For a Citation two shillings and sixe pence. 

(16) ffor A Dedimus ten shillings : 

As in and by the said Act it may and doth moore fully Appear and 
whereas there is one other Act made by the Governor Councill and 
Assembly in the Island of Jamaica aforesaid for Registring of deeds 
and Patteuts it is Enacted that the Clark of the enrollment shall and 
may take and receave for Enrolling and Coppying an ordinary Deed, 
Grant or Patteut for one or moore parsell of Laud or any Deed or 
Conveyance not Exceeding the lenght of Such Pattent five Shillings. 
For Every Deed exceeding the lenght Aforesaid Eight pence pr sheet 
accounting twenty leaves to a shiet & eight words to a line. 

For every short wrighting not exceeding the lengh aforesaid twelve 
pence 

For Recording every Plott one shilling and thre pence. 

For Searching the Reccord twelve pence and For acknowledging Sat- 

1 Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 178. 



40 

isfactioii in the margine of A morgage Reccoi'ded one shilling and thre 
pence — as in and by the said last recited Act it may and doth moore 
fully Appeare 

Now may it please your Excellency, Joseph Dudley Esq'" not being 
Ignorant of that his Maj'^'' had Granted onto your Orator The above 
said Offices or Places, Your Orator having Produced and showed onto 
him his Warrant for the said Places or offices Contriving and design- 
ing to call into question his Maj'^^ Grant to your Orator and to Frus- 
trate his Maj'y" Gratious Intentions of favor to him did Refuse, obstruct 
and denie to permit and Suffer your Oritor to Exercise and Enjoye his 
Said Places or Offices of Secretary & Register and to receave perceive 
and Enjoye all and Singuler the Respective Fees, Perquisits Rights 
and Profits which did Justly belong and were due onto your Orator 
according as Secretary and Register of his Maj'^''^ Island of Jamaica 
have had or then did receave and Enjoye and mooreover the Said 
Joseph Dudley did Introduce, nominate make and ordaine Doct' 
Daniell Allen, Thomas Dudley and other Persons to Execute and 
Exercise the Parts or Part of the Offices or Places of Secretary and 
Register and did give onto them soe deputed by him the said Joseph 
Dudley power and Authority to prceave, receave and P^njoye Seaverall 
Fee and fees for the execution thereof whereby he the said Joseph 
Dudley Combining and Agreeing with the said Persons did raise and 
Procure onto himselfe severall great and larg some and somes of 
money and to the great loss and Damage of your Orator and Contrary 
to all Right and Equity and good Consieuce : may it therefore please 
yr Excellency 

(The Premises considered :) to Grant onto your said Orator his 
Majes*^^ most Gratious Wi-itt of Subpena to be directed onto the said 
Joseph Dudley Commanding him thereby at a Certaine day and under 
a Certaine paune therein to be Limited personally to be and appear 
in his Maj*^'" High Court of Chancery then and there Vpon his Cor- 
porall Oath to shewe onto your Excellency by Virtue of what Power 
or Authority he the said Joseph Dudley did refuse and denye to per- 
mit and Suffer your Orator wholly and Intirely to Execute Exercise 
and Enjoye his above Granted Places and Offices of Secretary and 
Register and did nominate and introduce 

to Execute or officiate in part or in whole the above mentioned 
offices and Places of Secretary and Register and because your Oi'ator 
is wholly Ignorant what Some or somes of money were Justly due 
onto yi' Orator in Relation to his said Places and Offices from any 
person or Persons whose business did Justly fall Vnder the Cognizance 
and management of your Orator by Virtue of his said Places: — may 
it please your Excellency to Enjoyne the above said Joseph Dudly 
Vpon his Corporall Oath to shewe and declare how many Act and 



41 

Acts, thiug and things were by himselfe and by all and every Person 
or Persons soe deputed or Introduced by him as above don and per- 
formed which of Right did belong and pertaine onto your oratoi-'s 
offices and Places of Secretary and Register as also what and how 
many some and somes of money were Justly due onto y^ Orator for 
and in Respect of his above said Offices and Places and further to 
stand onto and abide such order Direction and award Concerning the 
Premises as onto your Excellency shall seem meet and your Orator 
shall dayly pray for the long Continuance of y'' Excellence Pi'osperous 
Estate." 

Randolph appears to have begun a new series of County 
Records.! But these records, in the troublous times that 
followed, seem to have been lost, and though diligent search 
has been made for them, they have thus far remained un- 
discovered. 

On the 18th of April, 1689, the uprising of the people against 
Andros took place, and Randolph and many others of his sup- 
porters were captured and imprisoned, and the government of 
Andros was overthrown. 

After the accession of William and Mary to the throne an 
order '^ was received, dated July 30, 1689, requiring that — 

" Sir Edmund Andross, Edward Randolph and others, that have 
been Seized by the people of Boston, and shall be at the Receipt of 

1 By deed dated Dec. 7, 1686, Robert Sanderson, goldsmith, and Henry Alline, 
housewright, deacons of the First Church in Boston, " Legatarys and Administ'" 
of the estate of Miles Redding, sometime of Boston deced," in consideration of 
£100, conveyed to Richard Wharton of said Boston, Esq., about half an acre of 
land situated on Fort Hill in said Boston, devised by said Redding to said deacons 
for the use of the poor of said Church. This deed was acknowledged, Dec. 9, 
1686, by the grantors before Jonathan Tyng " of his Majesty's Council in his 
Territory of New England," livery of seizin was made on the same day, and it 
was " Entered in the first book of Records for the County of Suffolk, New 
England, and in '22d, 23d & 2'4th pages thereof, Edw. Randolph Regisf." 

This " first book " is not the first book of records of Suffolk Deeds known as 
" Suffolk Deeds Lib. I.," for that ends in 1654, when Edward Rawson was Recorder, 
and no such deed is, of course, to be found in it. (See Query as to Missing 
Records published in the " Boston Evening Transcript " for Nov. 5, 1881, and re- 
printed in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register for July, 1887, 
XLI. 313.) 

A copy of another of these deeds, one from Benjamin Chamberlain to Thomas 
Collier, Jr., both of Hull, conveying land in Hull, may be found in Suffolk Court 
Files, XXVI. 105. It is in some portions nearly illegible, but it seems to have 
been recorded, Dec. 13, 1686, in tlie " First Book of the records of the County 
of Suffolk pages 29 & 30 Edward Randolph Register." 

* Mass. Archives, XXXV. 83. 



42 

these Conimauds, Detained there, under Confinement, be sent on Board 
the first Ship bound to England, to answer what may be objected 
against them." 

Lawrence Hammond in his Diary ^ says : — 

"February 10 [1689-90] This day sailed from Boston bound for 
London, M'. Bant & in him S' Edm'' Andross, late Govf of Neweugland, 
M' Jos. Dudley, M' Palmer, M"^ Randolph M' West, M' Graham & 
others, who are sent home to y' King, as by liis Letter arrived here in 
November last. 

" Likewise Mr Rich!' Martin sailed y*^ same day, & in him D*^ Elisha 
Cook D' Thomas Oakes & M"^ Icchabod Wiswall, who are sent by y'' 
Convention to Implead y' afores'! Gentlemen. They Anchored at 
Nantasket, y" wind coming Southerly. Mr. Martin Anchored not, but 
saild direct away." 

" February 15 Cap' Bant, w'l" Sf Edmund &c is said to Sail from 
Nantasket for London." 

His will,^ in which he styles himself " Edward Randolph, 
Esq' Surveyour-Gen'? of Her Ma".^" Custoraes in all her 
Plantations and Colonies in America," " being about to make 
my seaventeenth sea voyage to America," is dated June 15, 
1702, and was proved in London December 7, 1703, commission 
issuing to Sarah, wife of John Howard, lawfully appointed 
guardian of Sara Randolph, minor daughter of and executrix 
named in the will of Edward Randolph, lately of Acquamac 
in Virginia, deceased. He must have died in Virginia shortly 
after his arrival from England. 

Cotton Mather, with inherited animosity, says : — 

" Anon he Died in Virginia, and in such Miserable Circumstances, 
that (as it is said) he had only Two or Three Negroes to carry him unto 
his Grave." ^ 

Randolph was married three times, and had several daughters, 
but apparently no son by either of his wives. 

1 2 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, VII. 151, 152. 

2 N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XLVIII. 487 ; Tuttle's Historical Papers, p. 280. 

3 Parentator. Memoirs of Reniarkables in tlie Life and the Deatli of the Ever- 
Memorable Dr. Increase Mather. Boston, 1724, p. 107. 



43 

DANIEL ALLIN. 

168G, 1687. 

Daniel AUin, the son of the Rev. Joliu Alliii of Ded- 
haiu, Massachusetts, and Catharine, his wife, was born there, 
31"* S""" 1656, and was there bap- 
tized S** 6"^" 1656.1 His mother, 

before her marriage to the Rev. OtI^ * f^/^/^ \* 
John Alliu, was the widow of Gov- ^"^ 
ernor Thomas Dudley. 

February 12, 1671-2, the Corporation of Harvard College 
appointed Daniel Alliu scholar of the house, and again, June 
1, 1675, for the year ensuing, and it was ordered that he should 
" receeve five pounds due of y® scholarships." He was gradu- 
ated in 1675, and was chosen Library-keeper 11. 2. 1676. On 
taking his second degree at Commencement in 1678, he main- 
tained the negative of the question " An liepar sanguificet.'''' ^ 

Winthrop, in his interleaved Triennial 'Catalogue, says he 
was " Physician in Boston." ^ 

In a mortgage * of certain land in Dedham, formerly belong- 
ing to his father, dated November 29, 1677, he describes him- 
self as of Charlestown. But he did not long remain there. 
In other conveyances ^ he is said to be of Boston, and in them 
he is styled " Chyrurgion," " Doctor in Physick," and 
" Merchant." 

In addition to the practice of his profession he carried on 
the business of a merchant, and he was engaged in the impor- 
tation of goods from England up to the day of his death. 

Thomas Deane, who had been a merchant in Boston but 
who had returned to England, in a letter*^ to Joseph Dudley, 
afterwards Governor of Massachusetts, dated London 4*^ March 
1683-4, says : — 

" S^ I can now say I have a freind of you instead of the late worthy 
Maj : Denison & which way to retaliat Ime a stranger, but by my 
vtmost endeauours to searue yo"^ Brother Mr. Dan : Alliu whose Interest 

1 Dedham Town Records, 6 ; Dedham Cliurch Records, 34. 
'■^ Sibley's Harvard Graduates, II. 470. 

3 1 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, VIII. 46. 

4 Suffolk Deeds, X. 224. 

5 Ibid., XII. 116; XV. 56; XXX. 168. 

6 N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XIH. 237. 



44 

I promis you to espous as for my Brother, in order whereto I haue a 
promise from my Coz: Duke to increase his adveuture to him & verily 
believe if the trade prove auy thiug incouragiug he wilbe a great im- 
ployer of him & something considerable my Brother Browne shall doe, 
from one or both whome seperatly by this ship he will receiue consign- 
ment'* & the course yo'^ Brother takes to aduance out of his owne estate 
to accomodate his principalis will be such an incouragment as filled my 
hands with businesse when I was at New Eng'^ the like noe man euer 
did but Mr. Lidgit & we could not loose anything by it keeping our 
selfe within a very considerable bounds of security by our principalis 
goods & debts ; I could now haue recommended him seuerall small 
consigm'' but a number of such little things I found more troublesome 
than proffitable a few good imployers is more easy & reputable to y'' 
Factor." 

After the establishment of the provisional government, at a 
meeting of the Council, June 2, 1686,^ Daniel Allin and Thomas 
Dudley were appointed Clerks for Suffolk. He attested the 
records in the Registry of Deeds, sometimes as Recorder and 
sometimes as Clerk, as late at least as 1687. 

At a meeting of the Council December 8, 1686,2 " Wait 
Winthrop Esqf Simon Lynd Esq'. Benj^ BuUivant, Mf Isaack 
Addington and Mf Daniel Allin " were appointed a Committee, 
with the Secretary Edward Randolph, to receive from Edward 
Rawson, the late Secretary, the " Records of the Country," and 
at a meeting held February 4, 1686-7, the Committee were 
ordered to " forthwith enter upon the effectual execution 
therof." 

In his petition to Sir Edmund Andros,'^ Edward Randolph 
complains that — 

" the Said Joseph Dudley did Introduce, nominate make and ordaine 
Doct^ Daniell Allen, Thomas Dudley and other Persons to Execute 
and Exercise the Parts or Part of the Offices or Places of Secretary 
and Register." 

At a town meeting September 11, 1693,^ "Doctor Daniell 
Allen " was chosen one of the " Representatives for the Gen- 
erall Assembly to be held on the twenty sixth of Sept. 1693." 

1 Council Records, II. 28. 

■^ Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 157, ante, p. 25. See also Council Records, II. 94. 

3 Ibid., CXXVI. 178 ; ante, pp. 39, 40. 

* Boston Town Records, II. 2(W. 



45 

In his Diaiy,^ under date of November 25, 1693, Judge 
Sevvall records : — 

" Representatives vote that none be cliosen Representatives but per- 
sons resident in the Towns for which they are chosen." 

It is satisfactory to note that Daniel Allin was one of the 
twenty-one representatives who opposed this bill — 

"alleclging the vote was contrary to Charter, Custom of England, of the 
Province, hindred men of the fairest estates from Representing a Town 
where their Estates lay, except also resident ; might prove destructive 
to the Province," 

Lawrence Hammond in his Diary ^ says: — 

" May 7 [1 694] Dr Daniel Allen, a true Lover of his Country & most 
Loyal to the Crown of England, Learned, Wise, Humble pious, most 
true to his friend, the approved, able and beloved physician &c. Sick- 
ned Saturday the 28'!' day of April in y" night, and dyed this day being 
Munday, to the universall griefe of all good men who were accjuainted 
with his worth." 

" [May] 9 [1694] Df Allen buryed." 

His will, in which he is styled " Physitian," dated November 
17, 1692, was probated June 6, 1694. In the inventory of his 
estate, which was appraised at i;2811 : 12 : 4, are, among other 
items, the following : — 

" A library of Books £ 5 : : : " 

" Negro Woman 26 : : : " 

The inventory also gives the cost of certain goods received 
in different ships from England, and the prices for which they 

1 Sevvall's Diary, I. 386. The Editors of Sewall's Diary, quoting Hutchinson 
(Hist. II. 79), who says, "This provision is generally looked upon as a privilege, 
and a point gained by the people; but it certainly was occasioned by what is 
commonly called the prerogative party in government, and, however salutary, 
was designed as an abridgment of liberty," add the following: "It is interesting 
to note that this popular error is of so ancient a date. Perhaps no other detail 
in our form of government has had so extensive and so pernicious an influence 
as this restriction of offices to persons inhabiting the districts to be represented. 
And as it is also a restriction upon the powers of the electors, as contracting the 
limits within which they can choose their public servants, it is strange that the 
great mass of electors are so persistently cajoled by the few local aspirants for 
office. We observe that Sewall voted for the proposed bill, although he had 
been a representative himself for a town in which he was not a resident ; viz., 
for Westfield in 1683." 

•^ 2 Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc, VII. 166. 



46 

were sold here, showing the profits of the various transactions. 
It also appears from it that he still owned " Lands at Deadam " 
and was part owner of the brigantine " Hannah & Mary." 

By his wife Mariana, a daughter of Freegrace Bendall, he 
had several children, whose births are recorded in the Boston 
records. 

THOMAS DUDLEY. 

168G-1G89. 

Thomas Dudley, eldest son of Governor Joseph Dudley and 
Rebecca his wife, and grandson of Governor Thomas Dudley, 
was born in Roxbury, February 
26, 1669-70,' and was there bap- ^^^ 
tized 27 1st mo. 1670.2 ^^^% 

November 1, 1681, and again 
December 5, 1683, he was chosen '' a scholar of the house " 
at Harvard College, and he was graduated there in 1685. 

After the establishment of the provisional government, at 
a meeting of the Council June 2, 1686, Daniel Allin and 
Thomas Dudley were appointed Clerks for Suffolk, and against 
this appointment Randolph remonstrated in his petition ^ to 
Sir Edmund Andros. Dudley continued, however, in this 
office, as late at least as 1689, the deeds left for record being 
attested by him sometimes as Recorder and sometimes as 
Clerk. 

Judge Sewall in his Diary makes the following mention of 
him : — 

"Monday before [October 24, 1G87] Capt. Tho. Dudley comes 
with his Company to digg " ; * 

and again, under date of November 26, 1687,^ — 

" This last week the Compauies of Boston work again to finish the 
Fort. Friday Nov. 25. Capt Dudley brings his Company." 

"March 15. [1688]. Capt. Tho. Dudley is thrown by a Horse, on 
oxen, and is much endangered." ^ 

1 Sibley's Harvard Graduates, III. 318. 

- Roxbury Cliurch Records in Report of tlie Boston Record Commissioners, 
VI. p. 129. 

3 Mass. Archives, CXXVI. 178, ante, pp. 39, 40. 

* Sewall's Diary, I. 194. . 

5 Ihid., I. 196. « Ihid., I. 20G. 



Iliillliiliillillli 

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